Latest Ratings

In short: Superb course and definite PB raceIn full: I shattered my PB of 3.25 with a 3.04.15, so obviously I'm happy, but out of 15 of my club running 12 got PB's. Says it all about the course. Fast and mostly flat, with a small hill at 23 and a longer one at 25, which hurt and which is the only small criticism. Not good place to have it. Drinks every 3 miles, brilliant support from the marshals, nice tech top and all in all, great raceDate of review: October 8, 2012

In short: Brilliantly organised and really enjoyable eventIn full: This was the best organised and most friendly race I have ever been too. The event had a great atmosphere and everything from the car park marshals to easy to follow route to the amazing marshals on the course who cheered all the way, was tremendous. Highly recommend this race.Date of review: April 16, 2012

In short: Superb value race supported by great marshalsIn full: Great event, top value and very well run. Only thing missing this year was the weather. Best event in BedfordshireDate of review: June 24, 2011

In short: Corrections to my earlier reportIn full: I have had the time to think my earlier report through and believe I was being a little unfair. I have spoken to a number of runners and now accept that whilst this was quite expensive, it wasn't done with the aim of profit and profit alone. Race organisers have to break even or make a profit, as why else would they put them on? I still think there are areas that could be improved on, specifically the addition of an extra checkpoint and possibly starting an hour earlier to allow slower runners less finishing time in the dark. The organisers have to cover costs and the race was clearly advertised as self sufficient, albeit it close to the day the organisers did send out a list of stops and food etc that would be available. So, to be entirely fair, I should not have criticised it for that. In a constructive way, I do think an extra stop would help cut down on two stages that were too long without one. I also think the directions in sections need to be improved, but I accept that I got lost and that my personal feelings clearly effect that view, whilst others may not have had a problem. I also would have liked a race specific t-shirt which I know is a bit sad, but hey ho. Would ideally have liked a technical top and would even have paid more for that. Still was a nice medal. Have thought this through, it is a hard course in the second part in particular and not for the feint hearted, but I would consider doing it again. The marshals were very jolly even though the weather was bad, and there was a very nice meal available at the finish. As I think there are areas to work on, its not an outstanding race yet but it has clear potential, but with those hills its never going to be a PB course!Date of review: May 15, 2011

In short: Very Expensive and not good valueIn full: I am not a moaner and will support running clubs to the hilt, but this left me with the feeling that this was a race designed to make money for the organiser and not with the runners as the first priority. There were not enough check points for a start. I am a very experienced ultra runner and to have two checkpoints with over 9 miles between them was not a good idea. There needed to be at least one more. When you got to the checkpoints, they were very poorly stocked.The food they was limited and at best, it was home made cakes but they were limited, water from tesco's cheap value range and at one stop, some loafs of white bread and jam/peanut butter. No sandwiches of any type, orange squash ran out at least two stops and then just water, no energy drinks. The route description in stages was poor, far too much of the race was on road, the t-shirt at the end was poor (mass produced that made no reference to the date , specific race or have anything to do with it such as the Malvern Hills in drawing) and on the whole, it left you feeling that there was very little in the way of overheads but why take £55 of each runner. The only answer I have is profit. Does not make for a good race. There are better organised and much cheaper events out there a fraction of the cost. Look at the LDWA website and go for the walks that allow runners to enter. If this organiser wants a good report then do the following;-1. At last one more checkpoint2. Dont make the checkpoints so far apart3. Stock a lot better food and drinks at all of the stops4. Make the route description a lot, lot better5. Provide decent race specific t-shirts and not job lots that can be handed out at any race6. Reduce the entry feeDate of review: May 8, 2011

In short: Nice end of year runIn full: Good to get one last mara in before the Christmas party season starts. I like lap coures. Seems to be easier in my head. Instead of concentrating on say 20 or 22 miles before the energy levels go, you think about laps and before you know it, your on the last one. Only complaint - the goody bag is fairly useless. Much prefer a t-shirt. Sorry to moan. Big thank you to all the marshalls as always. I ran last years race when it was cancelled, so it was nice to have some company yesterday!Date of review: December 7, 2009

In short: Hardest marathon I have ever runIn full: Wonderful event. Singing Jerusalem at the start of what was in reality mostly hardcore runners with a few brave and dare I say mad, first timers, was a great experience even for a Welsh man! I had run Snowdonia marathon the day before and was running Dublin marathon the next day, which meant slow and at times painful progress. Led to my worst ever time by a considerable margin, but the weekends plans caused that and not just the race. Good to see a number of treblers present and despite my time, would love to have done this without the pain in my legs.Date of review: October 28, 2009

In short: Poor organisation and traffic jamsIn full: The above says it all. The organisers directed people in so that they all came the same way, which caused huge jams it seems. I knew the area and was able to slip in and out easliy, but it seems I was a lucky one. I didnt follow the directions but those from outside the area wouldnt know the routes and got stuck as a result. Not many marshalls and the course is in truth a bit dull. Mind you I did a 20 mile training run the day before and my outlook might have been effected by fatigue! That having been said, the marshalls and organisers still have to be thanked for trying to put this on, as do any club who host races. The highlight for me, was my beer in the bath at 1.30pm, when some may still have been struggling to get out of MK!Date of review: March 9, 2009

In short: Hardest race I have ever runIn full: This extremely hilly, multi terrain town and cross country race is the hardest run I have ever done. The web site describes the weather conditions as making the race truly punishing, which in parts it was. It rained right from the 7 am start in Greenwich Park. We wound out of various London suburbs for around 9 miles, whilst having to navigate by map all the way. We hit the first check point comfortably inside our target time somewhere in the middle of the 190 or so runners who set off. The cut off times were a little tight given the distance. We arrived at 18.5 miles at around 3 hrs 25m, drenched and filthy to be met by an angel in the form of a supporter with supplies and a clean t-shirt. I couldn't bear the thought of trying to peel my socks off but a warm t felt good, for about ten minutes. Met my supporter again at 25ish and cruised through 28 miles feeling good in 5hrs 45m. We made a number of errors in navigation at various points and had to stop frequently to work out bearings. Still, only two miles extra, which is better than one lad who did seven!! Slowed a lot in the third quarter which wasn't down to lack of fitness. The trails, particularly on the hills, had by this point been turned into either mud baths or long wide puddles that stretched often 50 plus feet in front if not more. There was very little hard ground and even the fields were saturated. Difficult to walk let alone run. Fantastic scenery though and actually great support at various points. Hit the 4th checkpoint slowing down and the 5th bang on 11 hours - which meant the previous 19 miles or so had taken a slow 5hrs 15min. Still only 11 miles to go at that point. Major problems though followed. As we were about an hour off target and getting slower due to the conditions, we were caught in the dark. We collected a lost lady runner on route and only had my head torch between us. We still had Ditchling Beacon to climb and before we reached the bottom it was pitch black. We had no chance of seeing the trail and had to walk across unlit and unmarked fields. I would guess it took us around 1 hr 45m to cover about 4 or 5 miles. We somehow managed to get to the top of Ditchling and were warned by a supporter that the marshals were pulling runners due to the time and conditions. There was no way in the world I was being pulled at 50 miles and we set off running down the main road having picked up luminous torches from a supporter. The last 6 miles will stick in my mind for ever. We were very tired, soaking wet and at the end of our reserves. The three of us ran most of the way with very little conversation save to discuss direction. All you could hear apart from the traffic, was the sound of 3 sets of feet pounding the pavement getting nearer and nearer with every step. Our compatriot even seemed to pick up the pace at one point. And then the finish. Fantastic. Out of the 190 or so starters, only 81 finished. This was a truly remarkable experience and one that I am very glad to have had. Hopefully Luton marathon should now seem like an extended tempo run, although I suspect not!!

In short: Bit dull In full: First time I have run this one. I wasnt unhappy with it, but it was a bit too dull in the middle section. The race organisers and marshalls cant be faulted in anyway. Very, very friendly, lots of stations and good support all the way. The trouble was that the course isnt that sceneic along the coast. When I entered I thought a coastal marathon would be just that and envisaged great scenery all the way. Problem was the middle section - which was into a wind all the way which obviously cant be helped - was run all along the sea retaining wall at the bottom of the cliffs and it was a bit boring. I ran with a friend and was able to chat a lot of the way but he found the same. I guess it didnt help that we both ran 11 miles the day before and tired towards the end, but I'm not in the business of putting the boot in to club races for the sake of it. My honest view is that it was just too dull in the middle bit and the course could do with being moved away more from the sea retaining wall for that long section if that were possibly. I repeat though that the marshalls were great and need a big pat on the back. Date of review: September 9, 2008